Improvement in skates



B. GEIGER.

Skates.

Patented Dec. 17, 1 872.

WITNESSES. HWIENTGR. *wf-@M mf^-\ ends of a pair of levers or UNITEDSTATES PATENT GFFIGE.

BENEDICT GEIGER, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN SKATES.

Y Specication forming part of YLetters Patent No. 134,04?, date-dDecember 17, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, BENEDICT GEIGER, of Somerville, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Skate,of which the following is a specitication:

The improved skate is composed of a` steel blade or runner of anyapproved pattern, a metallic floor or sole, and ,a peculiar adjustablefastening to engage with the sole and heel of the boot or shoe, in whichlatter theinvention consists.

The sole is clamped at about the ball of the foot by jaws pivoted so asto be self-adjusting, and the heel is clamped against an abutmentange byan adjustable slide or spur. Both clamps are operated by a wrench or keyapplied to a single screw-nut' at the heel of the skate, engaging with alongitudinal rod. This actuates the toefclamps through a slide and' andthe heel-clamp through a pair of adj usting-nuts on an extenf slottedlevers or toggles,

sion of the threaded portion of the rod.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure lis a plan or top view of theimproved skate; Fig. 2 is an under-side view of the same; and Fig. 3 isa vertical longitudinal section ofthe skate, the application andoperation being illustrated by the dotted outline of a boot, and anelevation of the wrench or key.

In carrying out the invention, a 7steel blade or runner, A, of anyapproved pattern, is employed, and a metallic sole or door, B,preferably, also, of steel. The latter may be supported at front on theupturned toe of the runner by rivets or screws, and at the heel bybraces C, and a cast plate or cap, D.

For applying and removing the skate a wrench or key, E, is employed,which may also be of any preferred shape. For attaching or fastening theskate, a pair of jaws, a, are arranged so as to engage with the sole ofthe boot or shoe near the ball of the foot 5 and an abutment-flange, b,with spur b', to support the heel, anda spur-slide, c, to engage withits face. The jaws a are pivoted to the outer toggles, d, swinging onpivots d (rivets or their equivalent) at their front and inner ends,where they are attached to the under side of the skate-sole B. Theselevers have vertical slots, e, oblique, relatively, to the longitudinalcenter of the skate,

f prowhich is also attached its equivalent,) h, passing through a slotin the slide, and engaging with a guard-washer, t'. The heel-clamp c hasa perforated stem, j, which projects beneath the sole B through alongitudinal slot, k, therein.

For actuating the clamps, a screw-nut, I, with a cylindrical portion,l1, Fig. 3, is journaled in a hanger, m, at the heel of the skate, and arod, n, with threaded end n', to engage with this nut, is attached tothe slide g of the toe-clamp mechanism. The rod n also passes throughthe stem j of the heel-clamp c, and its threaded portion n is extendedpast the same and provided with nuts o, to constitute adjustableshoulders, through which to engage with said stem. The abutment-flange band hanger m are preferably cast on the plate D, as represented. Agroove, l2, in the nut l, receives a transverse pin or screw, p, whichsup ports the nut iu the act ofdetaching the skate. By turning the nutso the heel and toe clamps may be adjusted relatively to each other, tosuit diierent feet. themselves to the shapeof the sole.

The skate being properly adjusted, it may be applied and firmly securedin a moment by rotating the nut l by means of the key E. The employmentof the journaled nut and screw enables great force to be very easilyapplied, so that the skate can be securely fastened and readily removedby ladies or children without aid. There are also no projecting parts,and no separate fastening, and no parts which would be likely to bebroken or become inoperative; but the arrangement ot' parts is verysimple; compact, and strong, as is apparent.

Claims.

The following is claimed as new:

l. The slide g, having studs f.f, in combination with the toggles d dpivoted to the sole B, and provided with cam-slotsc e, as and for thepurpose set forth'.

2. The journaled nut l Z1, screwrod n n', and adjusting-nut o, incombination with each other and with the slide g of the toe-clampmechanism, and the heel-clamp 0r spur c, as herein shown and described,for the purpose specitied.

BENEDICT GEIGER.

Witnesses J. J. OH. SMITH. THOMAS F. MAGUIRE.

The jaws a accommodate j

